Celtic to battle Boro and Wednesday for Vossen signing

Celtic could enter the race to sign Genk’s £2 million-rated striker Jelle Vossen ahead of Middlesbrough and Sheffield Wednesday. The Belgian spent last season on-loan at the Riverside Stadium as Boro fell just short of a return to the top flight.

Vossen, 26, scored nine goals for Boro including a hat-trick away at Millwall during a 5-1 victory, though couldn’t help them into the Premier League as they lost 2-0 to Norwich in the play-off final at Wembley.

Boro boss Aitor Karanka has the first option to buy Vossen, though Genk’s £2 million valuation may be too expensive for a side that has to make do without the luxury of parachute payments. A decision has yet to be made on his future and rival clubs are already sniffing around.

According to The Sun, Celtic are waiting in the wings should Boro opt out of the signing and could bring him to the SPL. The offer of Champions League football, albeit at the qualification rounds at the moment, could also sway Vossen’s decision.

Sheffield Wednesday, fresh from a takeover led by a Thai businessman, are also in the running. They are set to name Carlos Carvalhal as their new manager following the sacking of Stuart Gray this week, which may make agreeing a deal ahead of the Scottish giants tricky.